The best iPhone SE 2020 cases are must-buys for the people still rocking the second-generation model of Apple's cheapest phone. It may be cheap, but it's still worth protecting from all the things the world can throw at it, and even a basic case is better than nothing.
Keeping your phone safe, secure and stylish is pretty easy, since just about every accessory makes has something compatible with the iPhone SE 2020.That's what happens when Apple reuses popular designs, and means you are absolutely spoiled for choice. Most of these cases will even fit the iPhone SE 2022, since Apple seems very attached to this particular design. Though we do have the best iPhone SE 2022 cases to check out, in case you want specifically built for the new phone.
Whatever your need and tastes, here are the best iPhone SE 2020 cases you can buy right now
What are the best iPhone SE 2020 cases?
There's no single best iPhone SE case, because each user is going to be looking for something different. That said, some cases rise to the forefront as good all-around options for most people. Whether you're more interested in ruggedness and protection, or keeping things in line with your own aesthetic tastes.
Better still you don't even need to go out and buy a dedicated iPhone SE case, because it shares the exact same dimensions of the iPhone 8 (and the iPhone 7 before that), So you can use the same old cases that fit those devices on Apple's latest budget iPhone. In fact, many case makers are merely reselling their old models with a new label as a result of this.
Still, this is great news for customers, because it means you can save some cash by opting for an older iPhone case that's already been discounted after sitting on the shelves for a few years.
The best iPhone SE 2020 cases you can buy today
Apple may offer a cheaper $35 silicone case for the iPhone SE 2020, but we'd recommend using the leather option instead. Go to the right place and you'll find it for just $10 more, and unlike silicone it's not going to wear down quite so quickly. That's a common complaint with Apple's silicone cases, with some users reporting that that material gets stickier and chipper over time.
Leather is a lot more durable, while also looking and feeling much nicer too. In fact a good leather case can add a classy look to any phone, and the iPhone SE 2020 is no exception. It's available in black, blue, red, and has alumium-accented buttons that match the color of the leather. Plus $45 is pretty reasonably priced as far as leather cases go, making this one of the best iPhone SE cases for both style and practicality.
Ok, so this isn't an iPhone SE 2020 case. Not really. But when the phone has the exact same dimensions as the iPhone 8, it makes sense to utilize the cases that are available for Apple's former-flagship.
Tech21's PureClear offers 66 feet of drop protection, with practically no extra bulk, which means you won't feel like you're carrying around a protective brick. Likewise the translucent edged transparent shell is pretty sleek and minimalist, and some models even offer anti-bacterial coatings that are especially useful in the post-COVID world. $30 isn't the cheapest price out there, but Tech21 has a history of offering high-quality goods, and that makes this one of its more affordable options.
If you're looking for something that's both solid and fun, Speck has long-been a company to check out. The Presidio Pro series is no different. Sure it may be thicker than some of the other cases on this list, but that also means it offers 10 feet of drop protection to keep your iPhone SE safe and secure on the off chance that it ever took a tumble and landed in the wrong way.
This one is another one that comes with an anti-microbial finish, which is very helpful in the age of COVID and non-stop handwashing. It also comes in four different colors, with some of the same tasteful two-tone accents Speck has come to be known for. But, obviously, you're going to pay for that privilege.
A good wallet case can be pretty hard to come by these days, let alone one that can offer a modicum of protection. Thankfully Spigen has managed to strike a good balance with the Slim Armor CS cars, which is basically a Spigen Liquid Air Case with a hard plastic shell around the outside. Plus space for two credit cards, for the people who haven't fully converted to Apple Pay or still need to carry around an ID card.
Spigen has a reputation for its precise cutouts, tactile clicking buttons, and its trademark Air Cushion corners that can absorb drop impact without adding much bulk to the device itself. But, at $40, it is one of the pricier options Spigen has to offer, but you can get it for significantly less if you shop around. That makes it one of the more useful, and value for money, iPhone SE cases on the market.
Otterbox has been the go-to accessory maker for durability for almost as long as the iPhone has been around, and its iPhone SE Defender Pro case is no exception. This case is just about as rugged as they come, with a dual-layer design that marries a thick polycarbonate shell with a rubber insert. There's also a built-in screen protector, a lightning port cover, and fully-concealed buttons. It too has also been coated to help repel horrible microorganisms.
Naturally Otterbox is one of the more expensive options to pick, and you can expect to pay as much as $40 in some cases. But if you're serious about keeping your phone protected from the horrors of the world, then the Defender Pro series is among the most protective cases money can buy.
What was once known as the Silk Base Grip, Smartish's Kung Fu Grip Case is a personal favorite among the Tom's Guide staff. It has a super-grippy texture on the sides, to help avoid those horrible dropping incidents, extra-clickable buttons as well as a high quality finish and fit. It also costs just $12, which seems pretty incredible.
It's a sturdy beats too, with airpocket corners that help protect your iPhone SE from any tumbles. It's not the most slender case out there, but it also isn't one of the bulkier cases listed here. So it's a pretty good middle ground for people who value protection, without having to sacrifice portability or smart design. We just wish there were a few more colors available.
If you have a soft spot for the environment, Incipio's 100% compostable Organicore cases might be for you. It's not the first line of cases to be made completely from plant matter, but it is certainly the best one we've found.
An Organicore case feels sturdy, has a pleasing soft-touch texture, and avoids being slippery or greasy. It's also available in a wide range of colors, like Deep Pine Green and Oatmeal Beige, which mix in some more neutral tones to offer a more Earthy-aesthetic. Unfortunately being eco-conscious does come at a price, and you can pay as much as $40 for an iPhone SE case — just $5 less than Apple's leather case.
Moment is best known for selling camera lenses for a range of popular phones, iPhones included. But the company also sells cases that let you attach or detach those lenses nice and quickly. Though these cases are still pretty spectacular as standalone purchases — lenses or not.
The iPhone SE Moment Thin Case may not be available in the same wooden option afforded to Apple's other phones, but it's still a looker. Especially with those diagonally-etched lines crossing the back of the case itself. The only downside is that it's pretty expensive, though that's the price of ensuring your equally-expensive camera lenses don't fall off at the worst possible moment.
Those who look for cheap yet well-made cases know Spigen very well. Spigen prides itself on offering excellent-feeling cases that typically cost a fraction of the price of what some other accessory makers charge, and its Thin Fit case for iPhone SE is a fine example of that.
The Thin Fit is a very simple hard plastic case, that leaves the iPhone SE's buttons, top and bottom exposed. Because it's more of a shell than a soft cushion, it's not likely to protect your iPhone much in the case of a drop. But some users prefer just having a very minimal protective layer wrapping around their handset to protect it from dings, scratches and scrapes, and the Thin Fit is suited well for that purpose. It's also very affordable, and like all Spigen products, regularly sees discounts on Amazon.
If you need the thinnest possible case, Totallee has you covered. The company is well known for having some fantastically slim cases, and some rock in at just 0.3 millimeters thick. Sure it might seem to thin to make any use, but Totallee fans are generally after surface-layer protection to keep their phone safe from scratches and dints.
Totallee's Thin Case is available in three different colors: Frosted Clear, Forsted Black, and Transparent. Though the last one is slightly thicker, at 0.5 millimeters, and is glossier than your usual TPU finished case. If you want a more minimalist look to your iPhone SE, and are willing to spend $30+ on a case, this might be the one for you.